DAIRY PRODUCE from Scotland’s farms took centre stage this week at the world’s largest food fair in Cologne.
The Anuga food and drink event also saw the launch of the international market of the Scottish Dairy Brand, by Richard Lochhead, Scotland’s cabinet secretary for rural affairs, food and the environment.
The brand and its marque, which were unveiled by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, at the Royal Highland Show earlier this year, have been developed to raise the profile of Scottish dairy produce, add value to milk and take advantage of the increasing international demand for products with a strong Scottish provenance.
Said Mr Lochhead: “I want to see our delicious Scottish dairy produce savoured, not just at home, but also internationally.
“It frustrates me that so many overseas buyers aren’t aware of our high quality dairy produce such as butter and cheese.
“The launch of the Dairy Brand here at Anuga, will allow buyers and consumers to easily spot and purchase Scottish produce.
“The dairy sector is vitally important to Scotland and the Scottish Government is doing everything it can to help the industry find new opportunities – that includes introducing overseas customers to the range and quality of what we make, and providing excellent potential for further export growth.
“The sector can benefit from the growing global appetite for premium Scottish produce with unrivalled provenance, thereby adding significant and much-needed value to Scottish milk production.”
Speaking at the fair, where his company, Grahams the Family Dairy is exhibiting for the first time, Robert Graham said he had already met potential customers from a number of countries, particularly from the Far East, with interest in his company’s yoghurts and ice cream.
Graham’s was one of a dozen butter and cheese producers from Scotland at the event as part of a Scottish Dairy Board initiative to increase exports of milk products.
Board chairman, Paul Grant, whose own jam making company, McKays of Carnoustie, are regular exhibitors at the show said: ”This is just a toe in the water but it’s going well.”
Susan Beattie, head of food and drink at Scottish Development International, the agency in charge of the Scottish presence at Anuga, added:
“Scotland already supplies some of the world’s most sought-after produce to high-end retailers and restaurants across the globe, and with increasing consumer interest in Scottish produce, this is a great time to be launching the new Scottish dairy brand to international buyers, retailers and chefs”.
Eleven producers from across Scotland, including Graham’s, have signed up to use the Scottish Dairy Brand logo so far, with 18 brands using 40 different products across three ranges: heritage, artisan and organic – all of which are made using 100% Scottish milk.
The logo will be added to products such as cheese and butter and, in addition to signposting shoppers to Scottish produce, it will also help retailers and overseas buyers boost the profile of Scottish dairy produce
Mr Lochhead also revealed that the value of Scottish dairy and egg exports increased by 77% between 2007 and 2014.
He said these figures showed great promise for the future of Scottish dairy.
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